PREVALENCE OF EIMERIA AND CRYPTOSPORIDIUM OOCYSTS IN CATTLE, SHEEP AND GOATS IN MOROGORO REGION, TANZANIA

Domestic ruminants were screened for Eimeria; and Cryptosporidium oocy sts in faeces. The prevalence rate of Eimeria oocysts in cattle was 44 % with 73.8% of the infected animals showing low counts (< 10(3) oocys ts/g faeces). The prevalence rate in goats was 97.3% and 42.6% of the infected animals were excreting between 10(3)-5x10(3) oocysts, whereas 16.5% had 5x10(3)-10(4) oocysts/g of faeces. Very high counts (>5x10( 4) oocysts) were observed in a few diarrhoeic kids and adult goats whi ch were in poor body condition. The prevalence rate in sheep was 97.5% and the majority (56.2%) had low counts (<10(3) oocysts), whereas 39. 7% excreted 10(3)-5x10(3) oocysts/g of faeces. In contrast to the high prevalence of Eimeria oocysts in, cattle, sheep and goats, Cryptospor idium oocysts were demonstrated in only three goats (0.8%).